Post-blizzard, life returns to normal

 Businesses and individuals were back to normal after a weekend blizzard battered Baldwin and the region. 

About 28 inches of the white stuff fell on Baldwin, according to the National Weather Service.

Sweet & Savory, the Merrick Road coffeehouse, opened on Sunday after an early close on Saturday.

Owner Antoinette Burrows-Porter said customers came in on Sunday. Some of them, she said, were patrons who hadn't been in for a while, and new customers were also dropping in.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that service on the Long Island Rail Road was restored system-wide three days after the storm. A travel ban for the region, ordered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was lifted by 7 a.m. Sunday.

Amtrak also operated on a modified basis post-blizzard, and air travelers were advised to check on airline status before heading out.

The storm caused most businesses, groups and organizations to cancel activities on Saturday, and some remained closed Sunday.

Baldwin Bowl said it would open on Sunday. The Wander Inn closed on Saturday, but offered a 15 percent off blizzard special on Facebook for Sunday.

The Baldwin Public Library remained closed Sunday, but reopened Monday at 9 a.m. Baldwin schools also were closed to all weekend activities, but the district announced Sunday evening that schools would reopen as regularly scheduled.

PSEG reported scattered power outages across Long Island Saturday, but none in Baldwin. Virtually all power had been restored to the region by Sunday.